r it.

Elsbeth left the pastor with gratitude and new hope in her heart. In front
of the house Toni was waiting in great suspense. She had to tell him at
once everything the pastor had said, and when she finally related about
the wood-carver in Frutigen Toni suddenly stood still and said:

"Then come, Mother, let us go to the place at once."

However, his mother had not thought it over--she made many objections, but
Toni begged so earnestly, that she finally said:

"We must go home first and have something to eat, for it is very far
away; but we can do that quickly and then start off again right away."

So they hurried back to the house, took a little bread and milk and
started on their way again. They had several hours to travel, but Toni was
so busy with his plans and thoughts for the future, the time flew like a
dream and he looked up in great surprise, when his mother said:

"See, there is the church tower of Frutigen!"

They were soon standing in front of the wood-carver's house, and learned
from the children before the door, that their father was at home.

Inside in the large, wainscotted room, sat the wood-carver with his wife
at the table, looking at a large book of beautiful colored pictures of
animals which he would be able to make good use of in his handicraft. When
the two arrived he welcomed them and invited them to come and be seated on
the wooden bench, where he and his wife were sitting and which ran along
the wall around the entire room. Elsbeth accepted the invitation and
immediately began to tell the wood-carver why she had come and what she
so much desired of him.

Meanwhile Toni stood as if rooted to the floor and stared motionless at a
single spot. In front of him next the wall was a glass case, in which
could be seen two high rocks, carved out of wood. On one was standing a
chamois with her little ones. They had such dainty, slender legs, and
their fine heads sat so naturally on their necks that it seemed as if they
were all alive and not at all made of wood. On the other rock stood a
hunter, his gun hanging by his side, and his hat, with even a feather in
it, sat on his head, all so finely carved, that one would think it must be
a real hat and a real little feather, and yet all was of wood.

Next the hunter stood his dog, and it seemed as if he would even wag his
tail. Toni was like one enchanted and hardly breathed.

When his mother finished speaking, the wood-carver said it seemed to